Just about to head over to the show. It's such a treat to have the boys playing here in Mill Valley - just a couple of miles away from home. I haven't been this jazzed since Jerry played all those shows at The Stone back in the '80's!

Enjoy Deacon Bruce, I am home tonight and am already missing it...

has anyone heard if they'll add more shows locally? John K. has a show end of January non-further. TKS. Bless the Band!

After seeing the first three I'm chafing at home as well... hope someone posts a few words for us!

yeah, what do we do now?! Please post updates.

You doing any more Rob? I'm in for Saturday.

join the rest of us outies who haven't been able to get tix at all?

I'm no innie - somehow I just got lucky :-)

i've gotten lucky other times and know how good that feels, but i basically hate that phil likes to play these little exclusivity games. just play someplace that everyone can get into, or stream it so so many folks don't get left out. he always seems to have an innie/outie trip going, and i tend to rather hang with the masses than the priveledged few...

>>>and i tend to rather hang with the masses than the priveledged few...

I agree, I'm still not sold on this band but getting into a tiny club for this is really NOT what it's all about IMO. If I'm gonna groove to this latest incarnation of the GD I want the full blown experience. Outdoors under the sun with friends. Keeping my fingers crossed for a Greek or even better, Frost run in the spring.

I treasure each of the three shows I saw - it was great to be so close to Phil during intense performance moments.

I am just an outie who loves this musical legacy.

Rob, when can I count on seeing you cut the line in Mill Valley again?

Theres no inside info to get into the shows, its called paying attention to the website and message boards.....I've known lots of folks who just kept checking and got a ticket. Keep trying.....

1/6/10 -- alabama getaway

I got holiday miracles and was even able to miracle someone else. But I also believe in a music angel and his name is Jerry Garcia.

Toreup - I visited a friend, sorry for that.

yeah yeah yeah

alabama getaway, don't ease me in, till the morning comes, picasso moon

wow

deadheadland on facebook reports looks like rain...

What a nice way to sit home and relax. Streaming some dead.net while enjoying the setlist updates. Going tomorrow night and getting jazzed. The 142 is a great little venue run by great people. A very nice addition to Mill Valley's live music scene. Who's got the lowdown on the Sweetwater reopening?

alabama getaway, don't ease me in, till the morning comes, picasso moon, new potato caboose, looks like rain, welcome to the dance, dear mr. fantasy

alabama getaway, don't ease me in, till the morning comes, picasso moon, new potato caboose, looks like rain, welcome to the dance, dear mr. fantasy, china doll, new speedway boogie, west l.a. fadeaway

china doll! Vocals on LA Fadeaway?

fergettit

China doll, nice! Thanks for the updates racer-x.

alabama getaway, don't ease me in, till the morning comes, picasso moon, new potato caboose, looks like rain, welcome to the dance, dear mr. fantasy, china doll, new speedway boogie, west l.a. fadeaway, walking blues

Hmmm, what to say. Well, I honestly thought the boys were a little uneven tonight. Yes, I know it's a "rehearsal" and it had moments where I was reminded of that. There were also some terrific moments as well.

For me, notables tonight included New Potato Caboose, Dear Mr Fantasy, China Doll, and New Speedway Boogie. Bobby also did a nice job with Looks Like Rain with sweet cascading guitar licks from John throughout the number. I enjoyed Till the Morning Comes, too. As for the rest, fairly average I thought. To be fair, I've never been much of an Alabama Getaway fan and like Don't Ease even less. I actively dislike Picasso Moon, one of only a few original GD songs I say that about.

Not that I mean to complain. The venue is amazingly tiny and they didn't even open the balcony. I stood about five rows back - some 25' in front of Phil. I could see everyone in the band from my vantage point and the sound was clear. There are only two main speakers, each about 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, positioned at either end of the stage. The room is perhaps 50' from stage to the soundboard at the back of the room and 90' wide. There was plenty of room with very little jostling and the crowd was mellow and psyched to be there. Almost everyone was grinning.

It'll be a treat to spend thye next four nights grooving in Mill Valley - Rock the Throck!

Peace!

"just play someplace that everyone can get into"

But the logistics of that are what they are trying to avoid here. This is easy for them to do, they get to practice with a crowd dynamic, and there's very little hassle involved for them. I really don't see this as some sort of "exclusivity game", just a chance for them to have a good time with very little hassle on their part.

"Picasso moon, shattered light
Diamond bullets ripping up the night
Picasso moon, liberate me
Ah, life's infinite diversity
Great, amazing, majesty
And it's bigger than a drive-in movie, oo-wee
And it's bigger than a drive-in movie, oo-wee"

This may be the only song with oo-wee in it

its true, this is no exclusivity trip by the band. I am so not an insider, but will see more than 1/2 the rehearsals. It really is just a matter of checking the web sites and a bit of luck. And what they charge barely covers the cost of renting the hall and union wages....

I realist that I'm in the minority. But, I do like "Picasso Moon". And "Eternity", "Corrina"...

In reference to an above post it is probably not cool nor appreciated by the band for people to be posting links to torrent sites with downloads of official soundboards that the band is trying to sell. Just sayin'...

Sea Cruise-Frankie Ford
oo-wee baby

Good call Pete! I have a great recording of that by Jerry Lee Lewis.

ooh baby, oo-wee
ooh baby, oo-wee
it's that million dollar bash

Dylan, Million Dollar Bash, Basement Tapes

It's great phun to watch the interplay between the band - the nods, the smiles, the grimaces. Phil spent a lot of time listening as he was playing, eyes closed and with a half-smile on his face. Bob looks like he's trying to concentrate and he flubs the lyrics often, but not so bad as to upset the songs. John watches Phil and Bob except when he's ripping, then he's eyes closed. Lots of nice jamming, with plenty of riffs from Jeff. Not much emphasis on the drummers last night and most of the time I could barely hear the girls.

What a terrific opportunity, what a treat this is. I have to give the boys a big hand for sharing the love this way. Thanks fellas!

>>> I have to give the boys a big hand for sharing the love this way.

again, they are only "sharing the love" with those who are able to score a very rare ticket. just another sad example of how some "haves" are willing to turn their backs and look down their noses at the rest of us have-nots. i know that's how this country generally works, so i'm not surprised, except that this is a scene that started out trying not to perpetuate that inequity. but phil seems to always be the first to extend this bullshit, starting with his voice booming over the speakers at the post-touch shows telling people to stay away. the dead used to be about inclusion, not exclusion, except now when it's suddenly more convenient for them. but then, like someone else pointed out, they are hanging at the bohemian grove now also, so i guess i shouldn't be too surprised they've travelled that road of money and priviledge over people and inclusion...

Are you crazy?! If I can score a ticket anyone can! I certainly am not rich, and frankly the tickets were finally affordable for someone that lives paycheck to paycheck.

Take your bad energy trolling elsewhere mandala.

glad you got a ticket, doesn't change anything for all those who didn't. go ahead and shoot the messenger; i'm not the one who created this situation, just pointing out the ramifications of it...

>>>If I can score a ticket anyone can!

also, that is a patently false statement. there are clearly many more who haven't been able to!

why do we as a culture continually do this? "well, i got mine so all those who can't get theirs don't count and i'm free to marginalize them all!" and then the wheel turns and we become part of the marginalized and wonder how we got stuck there...

I got a ticket for tonight and waiting a couple of hours last Friday to log in after hearing about it. Realized I might have been shut out of my first choice(s) of show(s), but still got one and am fine with that. Might have picked up an additional night if I cared that much and jumped on it quicker, but I did know about it and could have ordered all 7 if I actually wanted to. Just saying it wasn't a hardship to get tickets if you were paying attention and not even that closely. I am certainly not an innie by any means.

again, just because you got does not disprove the obvious fact that many more didn't, many who may have tried much harder than you. once again, "i got mine, so screw off" prevails...

You have got to be kidding me with this "have" / "have not" nonsense!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Yes, this has been a hard ticket but the prices have been fair and everyone has an opportunity to get in.

This is life Sunshine. Not everybody gets to do everything.

Mandela, would it be correct to say that you'd rather not have them rehearse publicly at all then? Would you prefer they rehearse at BGCC? We'd all be able to get in at that venue!

I know people who got shut out at the Fox for the Sept. run - should they no longer play the Fox then?

Love the personal quote in your profile by the way :-)

Lets all just be grateful for the wonderful music over the decades

thanks, karen. yes, i've been saying all along that i don't think they should play places that are more exclusive than inclusive _unless_ they also allow streaming, which is so easy to do these days, and would be the simplest way to make such an event much more inclusive. i'm just not into the feeding frenzy that "lack" creates and have always thought that "plenty" is a way better way to go? what's the prob?

>>>>>This may be the only song with oo-wee in it

"Oo-wee, ride me high
Tomorrow's the day my bride's gonna come"

i am way grateful "for the wonderful music over the decades". doesn't change the fact that this is a fucked situation for many people that could be easily remedied...

Mandala - I live on the East Coast and boy am I pissed that they aren't doing any rehersals shows on this side of the country but I have the common sense to realize that it's not going to happen. It seems to me that the system that they have set up is fair compared to the 19th and Broadway situation with people cutting the line. Keep in mind that the band doesn't have to do this and it's a privilege for you to have the OPPORTUNITY to attend.

Sunshine, these are rehearsals which they could be doing in private. If you put them in bigger venue they have to hire more people, have a larger sound system, more lights, more logistics, higher expectations and so on. That is completely opposite of what they are trying to do. A "fucked situation"? Don't be a clueless hippie...

but for the push of a button, you could have the music available to you on the east coast and not have nearly as much to be pissed about. there are many people ready to make it happen right now, and if they preferred they could set up their own system and charge a reasonable fee that would be mutually beneficial to all. what's the prob? it seems like it's more an attitude thing than anything practical...

> but for the push of a button, you could have the music available to you on the east coast and not have nearly as much to be pissed about.

Why would they want REHEARSALS broadcast to the east-coast?!

because grateful dead music, free and out in the open, has always generated more buzz and audience than any attempt to suppress it. we're talking about the wellspring of this whole fucking trip! and you still want to perpetuate those old paradigms???

welcome to 2010.

> than any attempt to suppress it.

uh, you are sounding a bit paranoid now.
no one is suppressing anything.

I guess you missed my sarcasm. I don't need to listen to the stream at 1am in the morning to feel included as say. Unfortunately you got shut out and because of the restrictions with tickets you can't stand outside of the venue and ask for a miracle. Now move on and get over it. This band is doing some cool stuff with these rehersals and you are killing the buzz.

>>>no one is suppressing anything.

"no cameras or taping" what else do you call that?

if there was no truth in what i'm saying, how could my pathetic little rants kill such an incredible buzz? but you all ain't gonna learn what you don't wanna know, so i'll get out of your movies now...

Hey you know what, sunshine has finally convinced me. Yea, this is all BS man! It's bullshit they don't hold these rehearsals in the City and then rebroadcast them all over the country. And where are my free CD's of the shows? Dude! Jerry would never put up with this facism. Never!!

I've been extremely fortunate so far to have caught 3 of the first 4 rehearsals, having (boneheadedly) missed out on the original Furthermore Friday things. I've loved just about all of it so far.

That being said (see Curb Your Enthusiasm), I've found some of the folks in the crowd a bit less than pleasing. Last night it was 2 way-too-drunk and physically belligerent/threatening (not necessarily intentionally, but kind of scary nonetheless) dudes who had to pop up right in the midst of where my group of friends was standing, only to force us (mainly me) to divide, since there was no way in the world I was going to be stumbled into all evening by a stocky, drunken ass (dude fell flat on his face twice during the night - surprised it wasn't more - and basically was held up by the less drunk of the two for the last hour). In most venues, you can get away from this - in such a small venue, which seemed pretty tightly packed last night, it's a pain. How do these idiots manage to get tickets?!! If you're too fuckin' drunk/wasted to stand up before the show's even started, couldn't you just stay home?!!

Anyone at shows still have the slightest sense of personal space?!!

props to that guy for propping up his friend...

Good to see you last couple of nites

You too, Walstib! (can I use your real name round these parts?)

Enjoy tonight and the others, my man!!

>>>>Anyone at shows still have the slightest sense of personal space?!!



In my experience, no. It is a hard sell introducing new people to this music for just the reasons you describe. I have tried to bring friends to shows, and they could not get past the lameness of the crowd. Some have rightly asked why if the music is so valuable, that this is the scene that has grown up around it.

Other drugs aside, drunks are a huge problem at the shows of many bands. It's one of the reasons why I stopped seeing other bands besides the dead family. Much more likely to have a problem with drunks at other bands' shows in my experience.

The dress rehearsal was great last night- I had a blast!!

Mandala- your sour grapes suck. Just sayin. These dress rehearsals aren't for YOU, its not all about YOU YOU YOU. its so Furthur can put out a great product on their upcoming tour. They did 19 Broadway as a Furthermore Friday promotion.... then they did a few rehearsals before NYE as Furthermore Friday, then a few more after NYE as Furthermore Friday.. and now you think its only "innies" who thougth- "hmmm, maybe I should check Furthermore Friday on New Years Day???" come on!!!

and furthurmore.... what other band has promotions like this? What other band only allows one ticket per person, so no scalping? And they even held back tickets to release at random times- so the innies don't take them all! They have been releasing tickets while these rehearsals have been going on- why? Because the people attending the rehearsal can't buy tickets!!!!

These Furthur guys deserve commendation and massive thanks for opening up these intimate gigs- they could have easily not sold tickets, and only invited their friends. Easily. Instead- they are hooking up some LUCKY fans with intimate performances, helping some great venues who are financially hurting, rehearsing their tunes so the east coast fans have quality shows...

so "BOOOO!" to your sour grapes!!!!

>>>>>Other drugs aside, drunks are a huge problem at the shows of many bands. It's one of the reasons why I stopped seeing other bands besides the dead family. Much more likely to have a problem with drunks at other bands' shows in my experience.



That is not my experience. I see many other bands where the crowd is much less of a hassle.

Boognish,

Good points, all around.

As for these ticket releases, I'm wondering if the well has dried up. Really no activity in this area since they released like 5 nights on Tues. evening (I was at the show that night, so missed that one). I'm hoping there's at least some chance to catch one more, but I still feel extremely lucky to have made it to a few shows, especially after dropping the ball on New Year's Day.

Yeah, those sour grapes are usually self-induced...

If they ask that people don't tape or take pictures then that's their right, and folks are free not to come if they don't like it. The tickets are distributed a fairly as is possible.

Some folks just can't stand that life isn't always equitable, but that's life.

And I've always had a soft spot for Picasso Moon. Some of the versions with Bruce smoked. And after all, it is bigger then a drive in movie.

Oo Wee

I enjoyed the Furthurettes backing on Picasso Moon

As much as I wish I was able to get tickets to these shows, I have to agree that ticket distribution has been handled fairly. Instead of being upset that I can not go, I am trying to be happy for the folks who can. I think it is super cool that the band seems to be enthusiastic about playing and improving their chemistry. i think it is doubly cool that they are inviting some of us to come experience the details of their evolution. To those who are going to the shows, have a good time!

Mandala, Bill Graham said that they got 50,000 requests (I think it was actually much more) from around the world for tickets to the closing of Winterland. Only 5,000 to go around. And those tickets were done by lottery. By your reasoning they shouldn't have done the gig at all, just boarded up the place. And it's hard to take your viewpoint seriously when you assume that anybody that was lucky enough to get into one of these shows is "looking down their noses" at those who didn't with a "screw them" attitude. Most of the people I've met around this scene in the last 37 years have had a much healthier attitude towards one another. It must be wonderful to have such insights into your fellow man.

Or is it just projection?

Went last night, going tonight and tomorrow. I am so impressed at the band chemistry and the music they are putting out. Let's use these review boards for their intended purpose, to give our thoughts on the shows and share with others. Is there a posting board for frustrated rants?

Highlight last night was the jammin/rockin start Alabama Getaway. The Don't Ease was well done. The big surprise for how great it came off waa the Looks Like Rain. The China Doll had some classic riffs and my dance/muscle memory came back hard during this show.

Have to hand it to the boys (and gals), really appreciate what they are doing and hope they keep doing. Quick reference to the silly stuff about "innies", I know that feeling. Getting shut out of NYE for years in the 80's, I was convinced of a Anti - Los Angeles conspiracy. I mean, how could the 10 mail orders I sent from all the different houses I used come back empty?!! I had to keep hitting refresh and lucked out with these tickets. It was as fair as an endeavor like this could ever be. Give it another go Mandala, I'm sure you'll change your tune once you manage to get past the perception. Only took me 20 Years!